EV chargers · Toronto & GTA
EV charger installation in Toronto and the GTA
Charge overnight at home with a Level 2 charger on its own 240-volt circuit. We check your panel first, so the charger works at full speed without tripping breakers.
Level 2 charging
Why a Level 2 charger
A standard wall outlet (Level 1) adds only a few kilometres of range per hour. A Level 2 charger on a dedicated 240-volt circuit can refill most EVs overnight, which is why it's what most owners install at home.
What's included
- Load calculation on your existing panel
- Dedicated 240-volt circuit, usually 40 to 60 amps, sized to your charger
- Charger mounted in the garage, on the driveway wall or at a parking spot
- Outdoor-rated equipment where the charger is outside
- ESA permit and inspection
- Panel or service upgrade if your home needs more capacity
Choosing where the charger goes
The best spot is usually the shortest practical run from the panel to where you park, with the charger on the side of the car its port is on. In a garage, that's often the wall shared with the house. On a driveway, the charger goes on the exterior wall nearest the parking pad, in outdoor-rated equipment, at a height that keeps the cable off the ground. If you park in a detached garage or a laneway spot, the circuit may need to run underground or through the garage's own sub-panel. We work out the route at the first visit and include it in the quote, so there's no surprise on the day.
When the panel is tight
A charger draws a large, steady load for hours at a time, which is very different from a kettle or a hair dryer. That's why we start with a load calculation rather than looking for an empty slot in the panel. If the numbers work, the charger goes on its own breaker. If they're close, an energy management device can watch the home's total load and slow the charger while the dryer or oven is running, then bring it back to full speed. If the service is simply too small, a panel upgrade to 200 amps gives room for the charger and whatever comes next, such as a heat pump.
Condos, multi-unit buildings and businesses
We also install chargers for businesses and commercial parking. For condos, we work with the property manager and board on what the building's electrical service can support. See electrical work for property managers and commercial electrical.
Level 1 or Level 2
What a dedicated circuit changes
Charging speeds depend on the car and the charger. This is the general difference.
| Level 1 | Level 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Power supply | Standard 120-volt outlet | Dedicated 240-volt circuit |
| Typical use | Plug-in hybrids, short daily drives | Most battery EVs, full overnight charge |
| Installation | Usually none, if the outlet is on its own circuit | New circuit, charger mounted and connected |
| Permit | Not usually, unless new wiring is added | Yes, ESA permit and inspection |
| Panel impact | Small | Large steady load, so a load calculation comes first |
How it works
From panel check to first charge
Panel check
From photos or a short visit, we confirm your panel's capacity and the best charger location.
Quote
A written price for the circuit and installation, with any panel work listed separately.
Installation
Most home installs are done in a few hours.
ESA inspection
ESA inspects the circuit and you receive the Certificate of Acceptance.
Questions
EV chargers: common questions
Do I need a panel upgrade for an EV charger?
Not always. A Level 2 charger needs its own 240-volt circuit, usually 40 to 60 amps. We do a load calculation on your home first. If your panel has room, we install the charger on its own circuit. If it doesn't, the options are a panel or service upgrade, or in some homes a load management device that lets the charger share capacity. We'll tell you which applies.
Do I need an ESA permit to install an EV charger?
Yes. A Level 2 charger needs a dedicated 240-volt circuit, and adding a circuit is work ESA must be notified about before it starts. We file the notification, ESA inspects the circuit and the charger connection, and you receive a Certificate of Acceptance to keep with your house papers.
How long does an EV charger installation take?
Most home installs take a few hours on site once the charger is on hand. A long run to a detached garage, a trench across the yard or a panel upgrade adds time, and a panel upgrade also needs a date from your utility. ESA's inspection follows the work.
Can I install an EV charger myself?
Mounting the charger is the easy part. The circuit behind it carries a large load for hours at a time, so it has to be sized, protected and permitted correctly. Ontario homeowners can take out an ESA permit for some work on a home they own and live in, and they take responsibility for it. Anyone you pay to do it must be a Licensed Electrical Contractor.
Is your work guaranteed?
Every job comes with our 1-year workmanship warranty. Products carry their own manufacturer warranties on top of that, and standby generators can be covered by extended manufacturer warranties.
Are you licensed and insured?
Yes. Marrast Contracting is a Licensed Electrical Contractor, licence ECRA/ESA 7016430, and every job is led by Shaldin Marrast, a Master Electrician. You can check our licence on the Electrical Safety Authority's contractor lookup at esasafe.com.
To price your job, send us
- The charger brand and model, and your car's charging needs
- Where the charger will go: garage, driveway or outside
- How far that spot is from your panel
- Photos of your panel and the install spot
Where we work
EV chargers across the GTA
We serve homeowners, builders and businesses across Toronto and the GTA.
- North York
- Toronto
- Forest Hill
- Etobicoke
- Scarborough
- Mississauga
- Vaughan
- Richmond Hill
- Oakville
- Caledon
- King
- Barrie
- Markham
- Aurora
- Newmarket
- Brampton
- Alliston
- Wasaga Beach
- Collingwood